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three studies suggested that ingestion of cadmium in food or drinking
water is associated with an increased risk of cancer, but another study
did not confirm these findings. Occupational exposure to cadmium has
been associated with an increase in the risk of renal and prostate cancer.

Experimental Evidence* Data from one laboratory experiment suggest
that cadmium given in drinking water is not carcinogenic in mice, whereas
intramuscular and subcutaneous injections of cadmium salts induce cancer
in rats and mice. Some salts of cadmium induce mutations in bacteria and
chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes in culture. The implications
of the latter findings for the effect of dietary exposure to cadmium are
not clear.

Conclusion

The evidence from epidemiological and laboratory studies does not
permit any firm conclusions to be drawn about the effects of dietary
exposure to cadmium.

ARSENIC

Arsenic is considered to be an essential element for growth in
animals (Schwarz, 1977). Small amounts of this element are widely dis-
tributed throughout the soils and waters of the world, and trace amounts
occur in foods (especially seafood) and in some meats and vegetables.
Arsenic may be present in food as a contaminant or as the unintentional
residue of calcium arsenate or lead arsenate, which are used as insecti-
cides, particularly on fruits and potatoes. A Market Basket Survey of 28
cities conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during 1969-
1970 revealed that arsenic levels in dairy products were less than 0.1
mg/kg, but ranged from 0.1 to 2.6 mg/kg in meat, fish, and poultry
(Corneliussen, 1972). In the most recent published survey (for FY 1977),
arsenic was detected in 45 of 300 (15%) food composites in amounts rang-
ing between 0.02 and 0.83 mg/kg (U.S. Food and Drug Administration,
1980). In one study of selected trace elements in 727 samples of U.S.
surface waters, the concentration of arsenic ranged from <10 to 1,100
]ig/liter (Durum et_ al., 1971). In river waters, the median concentration
of arsenic was less than 10 pg/liter. The daily intake of arsenic in the
United States was reported to average 63 jjg/day between 1965 and 1970,
10 yg/day in 1973, and 21 yg/day in 1974 (Mahaffey ejt al., 1975).

Because of the variations in individual susceptibility to the tox-
icity of arsenic and differences in toxicity of the various chemical
forms of arsenic, it is difficult to estimate the average tolerable level
for arsenic. No provisional tolerable daily intake has been established
for arsenic by the World Health Organization.



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	three studies suggested that ingestion of cadmium in food or drinking water is associated with an increased risk of cancer, but another study did not confirm these findings. Occupational exposure to cadmium has been associated with an increase in the risk of renal and prostate cancer. Experimental Evidence* Data from one laboratory experiment suggest that cadmium given in drinking water is not carcinogenic in mice, whereas intramuscular and subcutaneous injections of cadmium salts induce cancer in rats and mice. Some salts of cadmium induce mutations in bacteria and chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes in culture. The implications of the latter findings for the effect of dietary exposure to cadmium are not clear.

	Conclusion The evidence from epidemiological and laboratory studies does not permit any firm conclusions to be drawn about the effects of dietary exposure to cadmium.

	ARSENIC Arsenic is considered to be an essential element for growth in animals (Schwarz, 1977). Small amounts of this element are widely dis- tributed throughout the soils and waters of the world, and trace amounts occur in foods (especially seafood) and in some meats and vegetables. Arsenic may be present in food as a contaminant or as the unintentional residue of calcium arsenate or lead arsenate, which are used as insecti- cides, particularly on fruits and potatoes. A Market Basket Survey of 28 cities conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during 1969- 1970 revealed that arsenic levels in dairy products were less than 0.1 mg/kg, but ranged from 0.1 to 2.6 mg/kg in meat, fish, and poultry (Corneliussen, 1972). In the most recent published survey (for FY 1977), arsenic was detected in 45 of 300 (15%) food composites in amounts rang- ing between 0.02 and 0.83 mg/kg (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 1980). In one study of selected trace elements in 727 samples of U.S. surface waters, the concentration of arsenic ranged from <10 to 1,100 ]ig/liter (Durum et_ al., 1971). In river waters, the median concentration of arsenic was less than 10 pg/liter. The daily intake of arsenic in the United States was reported to average 63 jjg/day between 1965 and 1970, 10 yg/day in 1973, and 21 yg/day in 1974 (Mahaffey ejt al., 1975). Because of the variations in individual susceptibility to the tox- icity of arsenic and differences in toxicity of the various chemical forms of arsenic, it is difficult to estimate the average tolerable level for arsenic. No provisional tolerable daily intake has been established for arsenic by the World Health Organization.